Report: Asthma rates on the decline

NEW YORK — Asthma rates are on the decline, the Associated Press reported last week, citing a new survey released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

According to the report, in any given year about 8.6% of Americans have said they have asthma. But in last year's survey, 7.4% reported they had asthma. "That was the lowest mark in a decade, and represents a decline of more than 3 million people," AP reported.

And the number of people who reported having an asthma attack in the prior year fell from 4.4% in 2012 to 3.8% last year - the lowest mark in more than 15 years.